What are the symptoms? Severe pain at the site of the fracture is the main symptom of a broken back injury. If back pain is made worse when you move, that's also a sign that a vertebra may have been broken. If, however, the broken bone compresses the spinal cord's other nerves, there may be numbness as well as pain.Apr 4, 2018
Can you have a fracture in your back and not know it?
Spinal fractures don't always involve pain, so even after a traumatic event such as a car accident, you may not know that you have a fracture. That's why it's important to have a thorough examination by a doctor after a traumatic event. However, a spinal fracture may cause sudden, severe pain around the area of injury.
Can you still walk with a broke back?
Depending on how severe your injury is, you may experience pain, difficulty walking, or be unable to move your arms or legs (paralysis). Many fractures heal with conservative treatment; however severe fractures may require surgery to realign the bones.
How do you fix a broken back?
The person may need surgery if the break is severe or if it has damaged the nerves. Surgery aims to put the bones back into their original position and relieve pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. A surgeon will use metal screws, rods, or cages to stabilize the spine.Apr 6, 2020
Are you paralyzed with a broken back?
A broken back involving the spinal cord can paralyze you for life, cutting off communication between the brain and the body below the level of injury. This can limit or stop the body's ability to transmit sensory information and motor function information from the brain past the point of the injury.
Can a broken back heal on its own?
The fractures usually heal on their own and the pain goes away. However, sometimes the pain can persist if the crushed bone fails to heal adequately. In severe cases of osteoporosis, actions as simple as bending forward can be enough to cause a "crush fracture", or spinal compression fracture.
Is a broken back serious?
Spinal fractures can vary widely in severity. Some fractures are very serious injuries that result from high-energy trauma and require emergency treatment. Other fractures can be the result of a lower-impact event, such as a minor fall, in an older person whose bones are weakened by osteoporosis.
What is the treatment for a broken back?
The majority of fractures heal with pain medication, reduction in activity, medications to stabilize bone density, and a good back brace to minimize motion during the healing process. Most people return to their everyday activities. Some may need further treatment, such as surgery.
Can a broken back cause death?
Abnormal movement of neck bones or pieces of bone can cause a spinal cord injury resulting in loss of sensation, paralysis, or usually instant death.